Everyone clapped some more, and one or two whistled as Van got up, waved to the crowd and went to join Daphne at the podium.
For the next three hours, Daphne introduced each category and Van passed out the trophies. Spectators brought their pets forward to compete, and the helpers did the same with the Happy Hearts animals.
The categories of competition changed depending on the species. Cats got points for qualities like dignity and mesmerizing eyes. Dogs were judged on friendliness, best bark and willingness to chase and fetch a ball. The usual animal-competition traits of obedience and conformation didn’t even get a nod. Furry friends at Happy Hearts tended to march to their own individual drums, and few of them had pedigrees. Prizes were plentiful—for the pets brought from home and the Happy Hearts rescues.
A white mutt named Maggie became the star of the day. A border collie/Australian shepherd mix with a brown spot on one eye that reminded Van of a pirate’s eye patch, Maggie barked with the best of them and wagged her tail a lot. She perked her floppy ears and tipped her head sideways when spoken to, as though amused by the humans who surrounded her. She chased a ball when her helper threw it, returning it—not to the helper, but to a little boy and girl in the second row.
“Mommy, Maggie loves us!” cried the little girl as she knelt in front of her chair to give the mutt a hug.
“Daddy, she wants to be with us,” said the little boy, gazing up at his father, hopeful and so sweetly serious.
The parents put their heads together, and Maggie found her home. Rising, the mom headed for the adoption table. Everyone clapped and shouted encouragements as she filled out the papers.
More rescued pets found homes as the contest continued. No one was surprised when the grand prize went to Maggie. When Van tied a big blue ribbon around Maggie’s neck, spectators, helpers and judges alike burst into boisterous applause.
After that, Daphne encouraged them to stroll around the farm where more loving animals waited to find a good home. She offered coupons for discounts on pet supplies available at the Happy Hearts store and a discount card for microchipping at any local vet.
More spectators lined up at the adoption table, checkbooks and credit cards ready. Happy Hearts Animal Sanctuary didn’t charge for adoptions, but new owners paid for the veterinary care already provided to the animals they chose. Many made generous donations to the sanctuary, as well.
“Bronco’s Favorite Pet Contest is a hit,” Van said to Daphne in a quiet moment when it was only the two of them not far from the podium.
Daphne nodded. “I’m pleased. So many of our residents have found new homes today—and everyone does seem to be having a really good time.”
“A fabulous time,” Van agreed. She heard a musical trill of laughter. It was Charity, flirting with one of the college boys who volunteered to help out a few hours a day in the summer.
“Charity John’s a sweetheart. And her big brother Jameson set out half the folding chairs and helped assemble my new trophy display.” Daphne gave a dip of her head toward the now-empty display, where Jameson and Evan stood with their heads together.
Talking about what, exactly?Van couldn’t help wondering.
Innocuous man things, no doubt, she reassured herself. After all, Jameson had given her his word not to tell anyone that they were seeing each other. He knew she didn’t want her family to know. No way he would tell her brother that they couldn’t keep their hands off each other.
Van asked, “When did Evan get here?”
Daphne gave a half shrug. “Around eleven. He pitched in setting up, too.”
Again, Van reminded herself that Jameson wouldn’t say a word to her brother about the two of them. Still, her palms felt sweaty and her pulse raced. She was about to march over there and see what the two of them were talking about when a cry went up from near the refreshment tables.
“Maggie!” cried the little boy who’d adopted the white dog. “Come back!”
“Don’t run away!” the little girl pleaded. “We love you! We want you to come home with us!”
Van glanced toward the shouting in time to spot the grand prize winner racing off, headed for a stand of cottonwood trees and the hills beyond them.
Evan yelled, “We’ll get her!” He and Jameson took off at a run. They jumped in Jameson’s truck and kicked up a cloud of dust heading down the dirt road that cut through the cottonwoods.
Over by the tables, the two little kids had tears running down their cheeks. Their parents knelt beside them, trying to comfort them.
“I’ll go see what I can do,” Van volunteered.
“I’ll come with you.” Daphne fell in step beside her, but two teenage boys came running up with a whole new emergency.
“That mare with the bad attitude stepped on Brian’s foot,” one of the boys said. Van remembered Brian—a lanky high schooler, sweet-natured and prone to daydreaming.
“I’ve got the Maggie crisis,” Van offered.
“I’ll be right there,” Daphne promised the boys. “Let me get the first aid kit.”
Van ran toward the group of people gathered around the young family with the two sobbing kids. She worked her way into the center of the crowd.
